Dr. Kirk Lozada is now double board certified in Facial Plastic Surgery and Head & Neck Surgery, providing surgical & nonsurgical treatments in PA.

Dr. Lozada is pleased to announce his acceptance as a diplomate to American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons (AAFPRS). Dr. Lozada is now one of the few elite surgeons in the country who is double board-certified in both Facial Plastic Surgery and Head & Neck Surgery.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (PRWEB)
August 07, 2023

Dr. Lozada underwent a rigorous, multi-year certification process through the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) to become a diplomate of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons (AAFPRS). He is now one of the few elite surgeons in the country double board certified in these two highly specialized fields.

He trained extensively at top institutions around Philadelphia, including the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine. Dr. Lozada brings an artistic eye to his work as a second-generation facial plastic surgeon. Patients can feel confident they are in the hands of one of the most skilled facial plastic surgeons in the region.

About Dr. Kirk Lozada

Dr. Kirk Lozada is a facial plastic surgeon and head and neck surgeon based in Philadelphia. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his residency at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

After residency, Dr. Lozada returned to Philadelphia and pursued fellowship training in facial plastic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Lozada stays actively involved in education and research. He serves as editor for two major online textbooks and resources on facial plastic surgery techniques and has published extensively in medical journals.

Dr. Lozada’s father was a highly successful plastic surgeon in Honolulu and is credited with pioneering a breast augmentation technique that focused on achieving high-quality results while minimizing downtime for patients. Today, Dr. Lozada carries forward these core principles.

Giving Back

Philanthropy has played an important role throughout Dr. Lozada’s career. He has participated in numerous surgical missions to provide free cleft lip and palate surgery to those in need.

With this same humanitarian mindset, Dr. Lozada takes a compassionate approach to caring for all of his patients. He aims to make the benefits of facial plastic surgery accessible to a diverse population.

An Expert in Face & Neck Surgery

As a head and neck surgeon, Dr. Lozada is trained to provide safe and natural results to the head and neck regions. He provides customized treatment plans to help each patient achieve their unique goals.

Because of his extensive training, Dr. Lozada is able to comprehensively treat both the aesthetic and functional needs of his patients. He provides exceptional surgical care ranging from cosmetic facial procedures to facial reconstructive surgery.

Facial Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Lozada performs facial reconstructive surgery to restore appearance and function for those who have suffered from facial trauma (such as cancer treatment), injuries, or birth defects. This includes the rebuilding and reshaping of damaged ears.

Closing large areas or defects near vital structures of the face demands the expertise of a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or head and neck surgeon. Dr. Lozada possesses extensive experience in Mohs reconstructive surgery, having dedicated a significant portion of his training under the guidance of one of the most skilled reconstructive surgeons in NYC. He has successfully performed hundreds of office-based closures, further enhancing his proficiency in this field.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery

As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Lozada focuses on aesthetics and reconstruction of the face, head, and neck. Dr. Lozada employs the most advanced techniques to achieve natural-looking results for his patients.

For patients seeking facial rejuvenation, Dr. Lozada performs advanced techniques in surgical procedures such as:

Facelift and mini-facelift

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)

Brow lift

Neck lift

Facial fat grafting

Otoplasty (ear surgery)

Rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty

Patients benefit from his expertise by regaining both function and youthful vitality in their appearance.

About Lozada Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Kirk Lozada’s private practice provides facial plastic and reconstructive surgery to patients in the Philadelphia metro area. Patients can expect customized treatment plans and patient-centered care. Dr. Lozada and his staff offer their patients a wide breadth of both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.

The state-of-the-art office is located at 1608 Walnut Street, Suite 902B in Philadelphia. Services include both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. The caring staff provides exceptional service before and after treatment.

Personalized Consultations

Dr. Lozada conducts thorough pre-treatment consultations and develops customized surgical plans tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals. He takes the time to listen to patient concerns and answer all questions.

Virtual consultations are available for those unable to visit the Philadelphia office in person.

During consultations, advanced imaging technology is utilized to present simulated results. This valuable tool enables patients to gain a clearer understanding of the expected outcomes and helps them make a more informed decision about surgery. Dr. Lozada wants every patient to feel fully confident before deciding on any procedure.

Dr. Lozada’s artistic eye and surgical expertise enable him to develop treatment plans aimed at achieving the most natural-looking results. He utilizes the latest techniques and advanced equipment for optimal safety and aesthetics.

Contact Dr. Lozada

Prospective patients are encouraged to schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Lozada and discuss their candidacy for treatment. Both in-office and virtual appointments are available. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kirk Lozada in Philadelphia, visit the contact page or call (267) 817-4600. Patients trust Dr. Lozada to provide the highest quality care and the results that they had hoped for.

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A woman’s hand squeezes a heart-shaped stress ball.

“There is a clear relationship in how anxiety can bring on stress and affect cardiac vasculature.” — Purvi Parwani, MD

LOMA LINDA, Calif. (PRWEB)
August 07, 2023

Nearly one in three U.S. adults experience some anxiety disorder at some time in their lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health — panic disorder, generalized anxiety, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or separation anxiety. Mental health disorders such as anxiety are known to impact heart health negatively and have been linked to an increased likelihood of developing heart disease.

Purvi Parwani, MD, a cardiologist at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute and director of its Women’s Heart Health Clinic, delineates several steps you can take to safeguard heart health when facing mental health struggles, such as anxiety and stress.

“Even though living with a mental health condition like anxiety or depression is so common, there is still stigma and shame shrouding it,” Parwani says. “We as individuals and a society can empower and encourage the understanding of mental health conditions so patients can pursue the right care and be their best, healthiest selves.”

Research demonstrates that anxiety disorders and heart disease can each cause the other to develop. For instance, studies have shown those with anxiety are 26% more likely to develop heart disease, especially coronary artery disease. On the other hand, Parwani says patients can also develop higher anxiety levels after experiencing major cardiac events or diagnoses, creating obstacles in recovery.

Physical symptoms associated with chronic anxiety can impact heart health in various ways, Parwani says. Anxiety causes stress by elevating cortisol levels and activating hormonal pathways that, in turn, promote inflammation in the body. Parwani says chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, fosters plaque development, influences plaque rupture, and increases the risk of developing coronary microvasculature problems.

Many patients at the Women’s Heart Health Clinic live with small vessel disease of the heart, Parwani says, and anxiety or stress bear particularly harmful effects on sensitive microvasculature, worsening symptoms like chest pain.

“You are in a chronic state of fight or flight with anxiety,” she says. “There is a clear relationship in how anxiety can bring on stress and affect cardiac vasculature.”

Anxiety can also elevate heart rate, increase blood pressure, and affect lifestyle habits, including sleep hygiene, proper exercise, or heart-healthy diet — central pillars of cardiac health.

Parwani advises patients to work with their healthcare providers and support systems to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, and other symptoms of mental illnesses. “When it comes to anxiety, I encourage my patients to develop a plan for when they anticipate being in stress-inducing situations,” she says.

She references an analogy between the constant stream of incoming thoughts in the mind and the constant stream of traffic on the road: “Instead of getting sucked into the traffic and driving with it, we need to figure out how to observe the traffic without getting involved.”

Engaging in activities or practices that help you feel grounded and relaxed is essential for mental exercise training that helps in the long run, Parwani says — whether it be breathing exercises, mindfulness, prayer, or community service. Additionally, she says some patients find it helpful to engage in talk therapy with a professional.

Longitudinal studies have shown how those with mental health disorders are underdiagnosed and undertreated for their heart health. If you or a loved one struggle with mental health, Parwani advises talking to your cardiologist and doctors openly about how you feel, both physically and mentally.

Loma Linda University International Heart Institute is here to help you or your loved ones navigate heart care through every step.

To learn more about resources offered at the International Heart Institute, visit lluh.org/heart-vascular. To schedule an interview with subject matter experts on this topic, please contact Lisa Aubry at laubry@llu.edu.

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Accordia Health offers imaging and x-ray capabilities to its patients.

MOBILE, Ala. (PRWEB)
August 06, 2023

Accordia Health proudly joins the nation in celebrating National Health Center Week from Aug. 6 – 12, 2023. This annual event serves as a platform to recognize the pivotal role that health centers play in promoting accessible, high-quality healthcare services for individuals and families across the country.

National Health Center Week highlights the exceptional contributions of health centers, such as Accordia Health, in fostering healthier communities through comprehensive medical services, preventive care, and health education.

Throughout the week, Accordia Health will engage in community-centered activities to promote health and encourage proactive health management. Events include health screenings for seafood workers in South Mobile County, patient appreciation days at all locations, and recognizing board members’ contributions.

Accordia Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary care specializing in psychiatric care to children and adults in Mobile and Coosa counties.

Accordia Health is the primary care arm of AltaPointe Health. AltaPointe is one of Alabama’s most comprehensive healthcare systems that integrate primary and behavioral healthcare to promote the wellness of all people across a seven-county area.

Each year it provides more than 1 million services to 45,000 individuals living in Baldwin, Clay, Coosa, Mobile, Randolph, Talladega, and Washington Counties.

To learn more about Accordia Health’s programs and services, visit Accordia-Health.org.

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Clinical Trials and Medical Innovation

Mid-market and emerging pharma companies can achieve their pivotal clinical trial milestones with a unified trial management system that offers a high-value solution, addressing the most pressing problems in the clinical trial development process

Manassas, Va. (PRWEB)
August 07, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes important provisions purported to lower drug spending and improve access to medications for many Americans. However, Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, Founder and CEO of Jeeva Informatics, is raising concerns, “A key driver of the IRA regarding the cost of healthcare is placing pricing controls on drugs, decreasing the investment appeal in the biopharma sector, which is especially injurious to small and emerging biopharmaceutical companies who are already struggling to raise capital.” The number of emerging biopharma companies has been consistently increasing by 4% each year for the past five years; they produced two-thirds of all new drugs in 2022. If this trend continues, emerging biopharma could account for 80% of the industry’s research and development (R&D) pipeline by 2028.(1)

The biotech funding environment has experienced significant changes, with market instability impacting investor confidence. Rising interest rates have led to a decline in the previously robust biotech IPO market. Venture capital funding, especially for early-stage biotech companies, is at its lowest level since 2019. As a result, venture capitalists are focusing more on their existing portfolios, emphasizing survival over growth.(2) By lowering future profits on new innovative drugs, it lowers the amount of money and appetite for investing in future drugs.

A white paper published by USC Schaeffer provides an illuminating analysis and dissection of the adverse impacts of the IRA on the biopharmaceutical industry and the future of drug development and discovery.(3) The IRA incorporates drug-price negotiations by granting the federal government the authority to negotiate “maximum fair prices” for particular brand-name drugs covered under Medicare Part B and Part D. This amendment modifies Medicare’s noninterference clause, permitting the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to directly negotiate with drug manufacturers through a newly established Drug Price Negotiation Program. The primary objective of this program is to reduce the cost of drugs by engaging in price negotiations with manufacturers for specific pharmaceuticals. Manufacturers that decline to engage in price negotiations are subject to sizeable penalties, including excise taxes and civil monetary sanctions that range from 65% to 95% of their product sales. While this might appear to be an effective strategy, it is problematic for the millions of people who do not benefit from current drugs/medicines and are waiting eagerly for new drug treatments that could help them.

According to the paper, certain elements of the IRA, including drug price negotiation, inflation rebates, and mandatory manufacturer discounts, are anticipated to have a substantial impact on pharmaceutical revenues. Studies suggest that by 2039, these provisions could result in a 31% reduction in profits and potentially lead to 135 fewer new drug approvals within the same timeframe. The IRA’s price-negotiation provisions are likely to discourage R&D investments in exploring new applications for existing drugs, potentially limiting the development of treatments for different diseases and impeding progress in the field. The provision assumes that the value of a drug is fixed upon launch, disregarding the evolving understanding of its effectiveness over time. New information, such as real-world clinical data and confirmatory trials, can significantly impact a drug’s perceived value.

Another key finding by USC Schaeffer is the potential reduction in generic competition, impacting the affordability of medications. Generic manufacturers typically enter the market after a brand-name drug’s patent protections expire. They offer significant price reductions, with generic entry lowering drug prices by 50% to 90%. However, the IRA’s negotiated prices for branded drugs may decrease the prices generic manufacturers can charge. This creates a disincentive for generic manufacturers to pursue the 180-day exclusivity period, which serves as a powerful financial incentive by preventing additional generic competition and allowing the first entrant to gain a substantial market share. The number of generic manufacturers has already dwindled in recent years, and with the uncertainty surrounding the extent of price reductions under the IRA, the future of generic drug manufacturing becomes uncertain as well.

Is there a better way to help reduce the cost of bringing new drugs to market while leaving in place the market forces that have so successfully fueled innovation? Once such recent force that is still in its infancy and born out of the COVID pandemic is used by the industry for greater technological solutions to improve the efficiency and efficacy of clinical trials. Much of this new technological innovation has been aggregated under the umbrella of Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT) or hybrid clinical trials.

The promise of this new way of running a traditional, decentralized, or hybrid trial is to radically reduce expenditures by leveraging unified technology platforms to reduce the cost associated with recruiting and engaging patients, reducing the number of staff and systems needed in a trial. It is precisely this possibility that Dr. Rajasimha seeks to pursue further, given the promise it holds for balancing the costs with the current free market structure to produce greater solutions. This is not just business-motivated for Dr. Rajasimha, who personally felt the impact of slow innovation through the experience of losing a child born with a rare congenital disorder and a brother with a chronic disease.

Dr. Rajasimha insists, “The time to adapt is now. Mid-market and emerging pharma companies can achieve their pivotal clinical trial milestones with a unified trial management system that offers a high-value solution, addressing the most pressing problems in the clinical trial development process. By dramatically improving efficiency and simplifying operational complexities, solutions like Jeeva can bridge the gap in investment capital with cost-effective solutions that execute early-stage clinical trials with minimal risk without compromising quality.”

The FDA has accelerated the trend toward DCTs by highlighting their advantages and encouraging wider industry adoption. To maximize the benefits of DCTs in improving trial efficiencies, the FDA offers detailed guidance and recommendations, such as using versatile software technology to automate and synchronize trial processes and investigative functions. Solutions like Jeeva™ eClinical Cloud, which provides a purpose-built, unified SaaS platform with all the features and functionality to enable hybrid or decentralized clinical trials, empower emerging and mid-market biopharmaceutical companies when they acquire this type of technology that dramatically improves the efficiency of clinical operations including patient recruitment and retention, patient engagement, electronic data capture, and study support for investigator sites.

Dr. Rajasimha explains, “Jeeva helps emerging biopharmaceutical sponsors to achieve their early R&D milestones with their 50% cash and 50% equity model to help early-stage, ‘cash-strapped’ biopharma companies to execute Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, which is where the REAL Innovation is occurring in developing new treatment options for patients. We don’t want this innovation cycle to slow down as a result of the IRA.”

About Jeeva Informatics

The personal experience of losing a child born with a rare congenital disorder and a brother with a chronic disease became the springboard for Dr. Harsha Rajasimha to apply his years of postdoctoral training at the NIH and FDA to accelerate therapies for rare and common conditions. Patient travel requirements and the pandemic forced the demand for decentralizing clinical trials and embracing digital technologies needed to accelerate the process of bringing new medicines or vaccines to patients who need them over three times faster. Jeeva set out to focus on mitigating risks to emerging biopharma clinical trial sponsors as true technology partners, seeking time and cost-efficient ways to execute early-stage clinical trials with minimal risk without compromise. Their reduction of the logistical burdens on patients and study teams by over 70% has resulted in their eClinical platform being selected by a joint venture of Georgetown University Medical Center and Frantz Medical Group for a major cancer trial. The Virginia-based company’s modular software-as-a-service platform is fully scalable and facilitates patient enrollment, engagement, and evidence generation in clinical trials on any browser-enabled mobile device. Visit https://jeevatrials.com/.

References

1. Masson, G. (2023, March 30). “stunning” 4% yearly rise in R&D share has emerging biopharma dominating pipeline. Fierce Biotech. fiercebiotech.com/biotech/emerging-biopharma-companies-dominate-rd-pipeline-22-iqvia-finds.

2. Recent trends in the Biotech Funding Environment. ICON plc. (n.d.). iconplc.com/insights/blog/2023/05/05/trends-in-the-biotech-funding-environment/

3. Dana Goldman, P., Joseph Grogan, J., Darius Lakdawalla, P., Barry Liden, J., Jason Shafrin, P., Kyi-Sin Than, M.,; Erin Trish, P. (2023, April 19). Mitigating the inflation reduction act’s adverse impacts on the prescription drug market. USC Schaeffer. healthpolicy.usc.edu/research/mitigating-the-inflation-reduction-acts-potential-adverse-impacts-on-the-prescription-drug-market/.

Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB)
August 05, 2023

The San Diego employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego violated the California Labor Code. The Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego class action lawsuit, Case No. 37-2023-00027035-CU-OE-CTL, is currently pending in the San Diego County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, (f) failed to pay sick wages, and (g) failed to pay wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-204, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

The complaint further alleges Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego restricted employees from unconstrained walks in which employees could not leave work premises during their rest period. The applicable California Wage Order requires employers to provide employees with off-duty rest periods, which the California Supreme Court defined as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

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